Vote FOR ME!
Before we get started today, I should just reassure readers that I have not changed personality overnight. Despite Australia being eyeball-deep in a frenzy leading up to our federal elections, I have not gone all political on y’all. I don’t actually want you to vote for ME. I want you to vote FOR me.
This post is about something FAR more important than a mere national election.
It’s about my calendar.
Ahem!
So I have been going through the archives (and Good Lord, I take a lot of photos) getting some images sorted out as possible contenders for the calendar. I have decided a couple of things – like that the 2011 edition which will again have Aussie, American and Canadian hols marked. But as for the photos which will feature – well I ended up with (wait for it) 44 photos. Fourty-four photos, people! And I vacillate between loving all 44 and considering producing three-and-a-half calendars… and thinking that NONE of them are worthy.
So you can see… I have a little bit of a problem. And what does Bush Babe do when she has a problem such as this? (Besides start talking in the third person?) She asks her readers to help. That would be you. Stop looking over your shoulder… this is no time to pass the buck (oh, wait…)
So, an-y-way…
I am dividing the FORTY-FOUR (or so) photos into groups and getting you to vote. The favourites (those voted for the most) will make it into the calendar. As long as I get a reasonable balance of bush images, I’ll be happy. (Well, I’ll still find fault with all the shots, but I’ll try very hard to muzzle that part of my psyche). When I have finished all of the calendar image selection(with your vital assistance) I will choose three commenters/voters (well, my friend Random Integer will do it for me) who will – in turn- get to choose a calendar photo each (print size 8″ x 12″).
Sound fair?
Today, we’ll get started with… umm… mustering shots.
This is one of my all-time favourite images – Violet and her grandpa (Pagi) disappearing into the dust as they take a mob of cattle back to the paddock after branding this year. Look at the size of those gum trees!
I love this shot too – it’s one of my nieces (we have a few horse-mad next gen kids in our ranks) leading the same mob down the road – the cows are almost home and you can tell they are keen to get to the gate! The ‘s’ shape of the cows and dust appeals to me… but then, I’m a bit strange like that.
This is one that many of you have already said you want – my three blokes (Dad, Dash and my hubby) on their chestnut steeds heading out to muster. Love that the dogs are going berserk in anticipation of the fun ahead – and kind of gob-smacked at how GREEN that grass is there. (It sure don’t look like that at the moment!)
Oh… *sigh*. Dash and Salina (another of those equine-lovin’ nieces I mentioned earlier) heading up the hill on their own… I love the almost-sepia-except-for-the-shirts quality of this photo. And that leany, gnarly tree. And can anyone spy the roo?
So there you go… a mob of mustering shots. Can you do it? Can you choose for me? Just remember, even if your country doesn’t need you, Bush Babe does!
late edit: YOU CAN VOTE FOR TWO IMAGES – click on your two faves BEFORE you hit the VOTE button. And don’t forget to comment so I can put your name in the draw for the prints!
Which MUSTERING PHOTO do you want in the 2011 BB CALENDAR
- NEAR HOME (45%, 39 Votes)
- OUR DUST (21%, 18 Votes)
- RIDERS ON THE RIDGE (20%, 17 Votes)
- TEAM (15%, 13 Votes)
Total Voters: 62
22 Comments
sara perkins
I like the one of Violet and her Pagi but she almost gets lost in the picture with the dust so I chose the team. Have a great week.
sara perkins´s last blog post ..Dollar store clothesline makes for a cheap obstacle challenge
Kelly
I voted for Team even though those red shirts almost made me go for the last one.
The dogs won out instead!
Kelly´s last blog post ..Success
Leenie
I just want a calendar this year. To hold in my little Idaho Spud hands.
Your assignment is impossible!! But I’m torn between the last two. And I choooooseeee errrrrmmmm. RIDERS ON THE RIDGE because the composition is so unique yet balanced, the colors are so mellow and the ROO!
Leenie´s last blog post ..NOW THATS A SIDE TRIP
Pam
I really love the “near home” photo. I love how the S draws your eye up through the pic.
Vanessa MacLeod
I love all the photos, particularly the second one (with the rider in front of the cows coming down the ridge) but my all time favourite is ‘riders on the ridge’ because it is SO quintessentially Australian. I mean you couldn’t ASK for a more awesome shot. The near sepia colour of the bush, the brilliant red of both riders, and hello! Roo on the ridge!! That is a classic poster shot. Which, come to think of it, have you thought of selling some of your shots on “Zazzle” I’ve done pretty well over there with selling photos as posters. Just a thought!
Vanessa MacLeod´s last blog post ..Free PDF Template- Menu Planner
Bush Babe
Thanks Vanessa… I have thought about lots of things to do with my photos. In the end, mostly because of time limits, I end up just selling people prints through this blog, and calendars. One day…
🙂
BB
jeanie
D’oh – I should learn to read the instructions before hitting “Vote” shouldn’t I?
I love them all. I chose nepotism.
jeanie´s last blog post ..August
Bush Babe
To interpret for my cryptic sister, Jeanie voted for the Riders on the Ridge photo. Cause the niece referred to is her daughter!
🙂
BB
Sal
yeah me too…hit the vote button before reading the note…oops.. near home is still my fav. All gorgeous tho. If I was voting on meaning would pick the picture of the three boys – HANDS DOWN – in many years to come that will be one very special image. Nice work BB, have a super weekend. Sal
Tara
I LOVE the last two. The contrast in colours does it for me. Green and lush, dry and white. Love them both!
Tara´s last blog post ..Peanut butter- bacon & banana 33-365
Lydia
How can you do this to us??????? It was so hard to choose!!!!!
I have to say although I didn’t choose it, I loved the one with the red shirts. I was hard pressed to choose.
Bill
Good stuff, BB. I like “team” for many reasons… but because most of the team is there: Pagi, Dad and the lad, the working girls (Patch and Millie?) and the Nikon gal is somewhere hiding behind the lens.
Jayke
The first one and the last one struck me, but if I had to pick just one, I would choose the Team picture, the Roo is what did me in!
Jayke´s last blog post ..Wordless Wednesday
Nancy in Iowa
Oh, yes, it was hard! Riders on the Ridge got me immediately, then as I gazed back up my eyes were caught on Almost Home. They’re all wonderful, you know!!
Teri
Beautiful! Looking forward to seeing the calendar!
Teri´s last blog post ..An Expression of Myself
Julie
Oh I hate having to choose. But I chose the Team, and Near home. I love seeing the team together, and I like near home because it combines dust too. 🙂
Julie´s last blog post ..Gods People
Carol/Red Dirt in My Soul
Chose the one without the “rear views”. Front shots are harder to come by for me, and I appreciate them more! I’m usually at the back and all I get are “rear views”! Nearhome wins! http://reddirtinmysoul.com
Tracey
“Near Home” for me. Speaks to me somehow.
Tracey´s last blog post ..Karma
Bush Babe
Wow – Near Home has hit the lead big time. Should I suspect some vote rigging on computers owned by my in-laws? Heh. Keep voting peoples… and remember to leave a comment to win a print of your favourite BB image!
🙂
BB
Patches
Doh! I should probably read all the notes too! I didn’t know I could vote for two and had a VERY hard time deciding between Near Home and Our Dust. Voted for Our Dust and THEN read that I could vote for two. Guess that’s what I get for not reading all the way down!
SleeplessInKL
Near Home. Hands down! The pic just draws you into the scene. And the colours are lovely.
SleeplessInKL´s last blog post ..The Model & The Sketch
TLee
first two for me. seems to be a trend 🙂
TLee´s last blog post ..Two For Tuesday 1